Abstract

This article draws upon research undertaken in the United Kingdom in 2006 which examined aspects of the ‘leadership’ roles and functions of female and male councillors. The article highlights the continued under representation of women in terms of the proportion of councillors who are women, and the ‘gender gap’ that exists in terms of council leadership and the portfolios that men and women hold on council cabinets or executives. It moves on to a consideration of qualitative evidence that suggests that there are similarities and differences in the way that female and male councillors in leadership positions perceive of their roles and styles.